The Nike Komyuter May Even Survive The MRT on a Rainy Day

The trouble with wearing nice shoes in Metro Manila is Metro Manila itself. You don't have to be a finnicky sneaker enthusiast to admit that the conditions are less than desirable: The unpredictable weather, first and foremost, makes it so that you're never sure of the best time to bust out your white-on-whites. Consider also the dust, the grime, and all the literal and figurative shit on our mean-as-hell streets, and what you have is an inhospitable environment for anyone who prefers to keep their kicks clean.

The obvious workaround is to designate a pair of beaters—sneakers that you can always defer to on days when you're not completely sure of the weather or your walking itinerary. Beaters must always be reliable shoes that you won't mind roughing up. (In fact, the best beaters look even better when they're beaten up; it gives them character, and that stylish worn-in look. Consider Converse's Chuck Taylor, Superga's Cotu, Vans' Old Skool.)

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But now, Nike offers something that may yet challenge the beater paradigm: What if your main sneakers—the more fashionable, more expensive ones in your rotation—could withstand commuting conditions? What if you didn't need to defer to tough canvas kicks on rainy days?

The Nike Komyuter makes a case. It's a new Nike sneaker that's designed for—you guessed it—commuters. And while it does have a terrible name, it is both water-repellent and damn good-looking. The best part is that it's finally arrived in the Philippines. Check it out:

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IMAGE Nike

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IMAGE Nike

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IMAGE Nike

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Other colorways that haven't been confirmed to release here (and we damn sure hope they do) are:

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IMAGE: Nike

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IMAGE: Nike

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Last year, the Komyuter saw a limited release under NikeLab, a division of Nike that's dedicated to upscale and experimental lifestyle models. It was originally named the NikeLab ACG.07.KMTR, and designed to be sleek, water-repellent, and with high traction. Its sole has wet traction lugs, derived from the Nike Tallac Flyknit ACG (Nike ACG stands for All Conditions Gear, their outdoor sports and lifestyle division), so it's designed not to slip. This year, the same shoe is being released as the Nike Komyuter.

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As summer starts to dwindle into its last few weeks, it's a good time to start loading up on gear for the rainy season.

The Nike Komyuter is available at Commonwealth Greenbelt 5 and Commonwealth SM Aura Premier.